The Best Fall Destinations in the U.S. Beyond New England
Telluride Proving that New England Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Fall Color
When you think of fall travel, New England probably comes to mind first - and for good reason. Fiery foliage, charming small towns, covered bridges, and crisp autumn days have made it practically synonymous with the season. But some of my favorite October trips have taken me far beyond Vermont and New Hampshire.
From golden aspens blanketing the mountains of Colorado to harvest season in Oregon wine country, colorful mountain lakes in Maryland, thermal springs surrounded by autumn foliage in Arkansas, and an unexpectedly fantastic city escape in Detroit, there are plenty of places across the country that shine this time of year.
So, if you’re craving a fall getaway but want to venture beyond the usual New England favorites, these five destinations showcase just how spectacular, and varied, fall can be across the country.
Telluride, Colorado
It’s Hard to Compete with October in Telluride
Oh, Telluride. Where do I begin? I’ve traveled to Colorado many times over the past few decades, and I dare say Telluride might just be my favorite place in the entire state.
Come October, golden aspens drape the mountainsides in brilliant shades of canary yellow, creating the kind of scenery that quite literally makes your jaw drop. But Telluride offers so much more than spectacular fall foliage. There are endless hiking trails, crisp mountain air, and a ridiculously charming downtown tucked between towering peaks. The town manages to feel both lively and quaint, with plenty of great restaurants and bars, yet without the overly touristy or overcrowded feel of some other mountain towns.
Golden Aspens Light Up the Mountains Surrounding Telluride
I flew into Durango and made Telluride part of a larger road trip through southwestern Colorado, but Telluride was the place that truly stole my heart. If you want dramatic mountain scenery, gorgeous fall color, great hiking, and a town you’ll actually want to linger in after the trails, Telluride in October is hard to beat.
Telluride Travel Tips
Time it right: Late September into early October is typically prime time for Telluride’s spectacular golden aspens, although peak foliage varies each year.
Pack layers: October weather in the mountains can change quickly. Expect anything from sunny, crisp afternoons to freezing temperatures and even snow.
Stay in town if you can: Downtown Telluride is wonderfully walkable, with restaurants, bars, shops, and trailheads easily accessible.
Telluride Dressed in Fall Color
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Rolling Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
If the Hills ever go missing, there are a few places you should check first: South Africa’s Wine Country, Tuscany, Sonoma Valley, and Willamette Valley. Noticing a trend?
Less than an hour from Portland, Willamette Valley was one of the first places we ever visited in Oregon, and it was truly love at first sight. Often regarded as the more casual cousin of Napa Valley, the region is an oasis of world-class Pinot Noir, laid-back hospitality, and breathtaking scenery. Think California Wine Country with a fraction of the crowds and commercialism.
Come fall, the valley becomes even more alluring. Vineyards turn shades of gold, orange, and crimson, harvest season is in full swing, and crisp temperatures make settling in over a glass of wine overlooking the vines especially inviting.
We explored the valley with Oregon Wine Tours, which tailored our stops to our preferences. Among our favorites were Domaine Drouhin, with its French-influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and gorgeous hilltop setting; Anne Amie, where we paired wine and cheese with sweeping valley views; and Adelsheim, one of Oregon’s best-known producers. Years later, it remains one of our all-time favorite wine-tasting experiences.
Willamette Valley Travel Tips
Make winery reservations in advance. Fall coincides with harvest, making it an especially exciting, and sometimes busy, time to visit.
Hire a driver: If you’re in wine country, chances are you’re planning to drink wine (and you most definitely should!). Hire a driver so you can enjoy the tastings, take in the scenery, and leave the driving to someone else.
Pack layers and rain gear. Oregon fall weather can shift quickly from crisp sunshine to cool, rainy afternoons.
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
We’ve Enjoyed Many Beautiful Hikes in Swallow Falls State Park
The most personal of this list, over the past several years, Deep Creek Lake has become our home away from home. And if I’m being honest, this fact still is at times a bit surprising, even after all these years. Never in my wildest dreams did I think a small rural area in Western Maryland would become one of our favorite places to retreat to, but it has. And if you haven’t experienced the bounties of October in Deep Creek, I promise you, you are in for quite a treat.
Deep Creek Lake is one of my favorite places to experience fall, and it’s a place that has become incredibly special to us. After years of visiting Deep Creek and staying at our friends’ home, we fell in love with the area. During the pandemic, we took the leap and bought a piece of land where we eventually built our dream mountain home. Needless to say, we’ve spent a lot of time here in every season, but fall might just be my favorite.
And if you haven’t experienced October in Deep Creek, you’re in for quite a treat. The mountains come alive with brilliant fall color, the air turns crisp, and there’s something especially beautiful about seeing the lake surrounded by shades of red, orange, and gold. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to spend the day outside exploring, and then come home, light a fire, and settle in for the night.
One of the best places to take it all in is Swallow Falls State Park, where wooded trails wind beneath towering trees and lead to some of Maryland’s most impressive waterfalls, including Muddy Creek Falls. In the fall, the waterfalls framed by red, orange, and gold leaves are absolutely gorgeous.
Swallow Falls State Park Explodes with Color This Time of Year
And you don’t have to stay in Maryland to find great hiking. Deep Creek is close to some of our favorite spots in neighboring West Virginia, including Cathedral State Park and Coopers Rock State Forest, where overlooks and forest trails are particularly spectacular during peak foliage. We also love making the drive to Davis, a tiny, artsy mountain town that’s fun to wander for a few hours.
Of course, fall at Deep Creek isn’t only about hiking. Some years, the weather stays warm enough to squeeze in one last boat ride and enjoy the lake surrounded by fall color. And when the temperatures drop, it’s the perfect excuse to slow down. Curl up in front of a fire, watch football, soak in the hot tub, and settle in with a good book.
When Lake Days Meet Fall
There are plenty of casual places to eat and drink after a day outside, too. A few of our favorites are Mountain State Brewing Co., Dutch’s at Silver Tree, Pawn Run Bar + Kitchen, Firewater Kitchen & Bar, and Blackthorne Cellars (YES! Deep Creek now has a winery!).
If you live within a few hours of Deep Creek, it’s a fantastic option for fall getaway: beautiful hikes and waterfalls when you want to explore, a lake and mountain towns to wander, and plenty of opportunities to simply cozy up and enjoy the season.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
During the pandemic, as international travel came to a halt, I became obsessed with exploring this big, beautiful country of ours, particularly our national parks (which, in my opinion, are the greatest collection of national parks in the world, but I’ll save that argument for another post!).
As the smallest national park in the United States, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas may not be at the top of your list. Hell, you may have never even heard of it! But if you love nature, inviting small towns, fewer crowds, and venturing a little beyond the well-traveled path, this national park gem might just be for you.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Hot Springs Mountain Drive
Unlike most national parks, Hot Springs National Park blends right into the heart of town, making it easy to pair time outdoors with plenty of exploring. Stroll historic Bathhouse Row, hike one of the park’s wooded trails for views over the Ouachita Mountains, or soak in the thermal waters that have drawn visitors here for centuries. Just beyond the park, you’ll find restaurants, breweries, shops, and wonderfully quirky attractions, while nearby lakes and scenic drives offer even more ways to experience this underrated corner of Arkansas.
Hot Springs National Park Travel Tips:
Visit The National Park Service for more information.
It’s free: Hot Springs National Park has no entrance fee, making it an easy and affordable national park to explore.
You can actually soak in the thermal water: You can’t bathe in the outdoor springs, but Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Baths & Spa offer thermal-water bathing experiences right on Bathhouse Row.
Stay downtown: The park and Bathhouse Row sit right alongside downtown Hot Springs, so staying nearby makes it easy to walk between the park, historic bathhouses, restaurants, and shops.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Skyline Glowing Along the Detroit River at Night
Don’t sleep on Detroit! It’s the perfect Midwest city to explore for a long weekend getaway, filled with great food, music, history, and sports. We visited in the fall for a Detroit Lions game and were pleasantly surprised by just how much we loved the city.
If you’re in town for a game, the area around Ford Field is packed with lively sports bars and plenty of pregame energy. Beyond football, we ate incredibly well. Dime Store was a favorite brunch stop, we and even spent some time at the city’s casinos downtown. Be sure to make your way down to the Detroit Riverwalk, which stretches along the waterfront and offers beautiful views across the river to Canada.
Detroit has an energy that makes it especially fun for a fall weekend: football, cool weather, great food, and plenty to do without needing a full week to experience it.
Detroit’s Scenic Riverfront with the Downtown Skyline in the Distance
From mountain towns and wine country to lakeside escapes, national parks, and an underrated Midwest city, these five destinations prove that New England doesn’t have a monopoly on fall. Whether you’re chasing colorful foliage, crisp hiking weather, harvest-season wine, or a fun long weekend, Telluride, the Willamette Valley, Deep Creek Lake, Hot Springs National Park, and Detroit each offer a completely different way to embrace the season.
So this fall, consider looking beyond the familiar hot spots. You might just discover a new favorite.
Golden Hour at Deep Creek Lake